Open Letter to National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis

Open Letter to National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis expressing concern about the terrorist threat to the Nation and a lack of U. S. Park Police Operational Readiness that is caused by the neglect of the National Park Service.

U NITED STA TES PAR K POLIC E

Director Jarvis:
The recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria, France, and Australia, carried out by gunmen aligned with terrorist organizations,
increased the concerns of our officers regarding United States Park Police operational readiness. Our officers are well
aware that they are understaffed and underequipped to effectively respond to an attack involving the Statue of Liberty or
one of the monuments in Washington, D.C. United States Park Police operational readiness problems stem from the
continuous reckless neglect of the National Park Service (NPS). These problems have been documented in publications
available at: https://www.scribd.com/slingsam.
Our members patrol areas that represent the founding principles of our great nation where the threat of a terrorist attack is
real. These include the National Mall with its monuments and memorials, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the areas
adjacent to the Golden Gate Bridge. On Friday, January 9, 2015, the Federal Bureau of Investigation sent out a bulletin to
all law enforcement agencies in the United States. This bulletin, according to press reports, warned law enforcement
about the professional tactics used by the terrorists in France and further warned agencies to remain vigilant. While many
agencies have increased their security measures as a result of the FBI bulletin, the USPP has taken no additional
precautions. The reason is that they simply don’t have the resources.
During a CNN interview about terrorism, on January 18, 2015, Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta stated, “They
are engaged in a much more aggressive effort to conduct violence, not only in Europe, but I think it's a matter of time
before they direct it at the United States, as well. This is a real threat and we've got to be prepared to confront that.”
While we cannot say that a terrorist attack is imminent, most deadly attacks have occurred without warning. These recent
attacks demonstrate the determination and viciousness of these groups, which have threatened attacks on the many
countries, including the United States. These terrorists will die for their cause and justify the commission of many
heinous acts (e.g., genocide, murder, rape, kidnapping, slavery) to achieve their goals. Failing to prepare for these threats
is unconscionable and will cost lives.
The National Park Service is responsible for protecting not only our national monuments, but also the visitors coming to
see them. United States Park Police officers have demonstrated that they have the heart and courage needed to respond to
these types of incidents. What is lacking is sufficient staffing, sufficient financial support from the National Park Service
and proper equipment. We urge you to take immediate action to correct the problems plaguing the United States Park
Police- to do otherwise will certainly lead to increasing the threat to public safety.